Art

Welcome to Art

"It takes a lot of willpower and desire to be an artist hunting for what excites your
imagination. It can be difficult because it takes so much discipline to continue."
-Barry LeVa

Program Description

The Art Department at Santa Barbara City College provides the students an opportunity
to study and experience art from a broad range of emphases: a well-structured art
studio or art history curriculum for the traditional art major; as part of a structured
program for majors from other departments such as MAT or Graphic Design; or for enrichment,
development and fulfillment of college requirements for the non-art major.

The department offers courses in design, drawing, three-dimensional design, painting,
printmaking, artists’ books, ceramics, sculpture and art history to provide the student
a full background and training for either transfer to another institution or to proceed
independently.

The Art department is committed to student success in its many programs by providing
the highest level of instruction and experience from our foundation level courses
to the upper level studio classes. We offer an Associate of Art degree or transfer
certificate in Studio Art and Art History and have seen many of our students successfully
move on to Art Schools, 4-year Institutions and professional careers.

We have a strong commitment to our local community and have reached a broad audience
through the Atkinson Gallery and our Fine Arts Lecture series where speakers from
many art disciplines come to our department and present talks. We support the Art
Students Club that also organizes symposia and field trips. We are proud of the broader
art experience we have been able to provide to our students. We maintain strong outreach
to our local high schools, particularly the VADA program at Santa Barbara High School.
We currently offer two dual-enrollment Art History courses with SBHS. We continue
to support the Santa Barbara Arts Fund Teen Arts Mentorship program through faculty
involvement as mentors.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge and application and/or analysis of formal principles and elements
of art.

Demonstrate critical thinking as it applies to critique, evaluation and/or production
of works of art.

Demonstrate proficiency in understanding and/or use of tools and techniques of making
visual art.

Demonstrate knowledge of various artistic movements and significant artists.

The Art Department strongly encourages students to complete the Foundation Level courses
below prior to more specialized courses. Santa Barbara City College is enforcing all
prerequisites, and registration will be blocked unless the prerequisite courses have
been completed.